Columbia County showed its residents a fun time Aug. 28 for the sake of entertaining, informing and bonding with the community.
The Public Safety and Preparedness Fair kicked off at 9 a.m. and lasted until 3 p.m. Saturday at Evans Towne Center Park.
“We probably had 3,000 to 4,000 people come out today,” said Shawn Granato, Columbia County Emergency Management Agency director. “I was hoping for at least 3,000.”
Water slides, fair rides, K-9 demonstrations and emergency vehicle showings were among the festivities available at the event. Augusta-based bands came out to perform at the Lady A Pavilion stage, with Guns for Hire opening at 9:30 a.m. and then Whiskey Run playing at 1 p.m.
The concept of a fair held by Columbia County’s emergency service departments developed for several months, with initial planning beginning in late December and January, with increased planning over the last six weeks and cooperation from Columbia County’s Community and Leisure Services.
A look inside a fire truck was part of the Columbia County Public Safety and Preparedness Fair Aug. 28 at the Evans Towne Center Park. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews 
Firefighter Will Nelson stands next to Engine 2 at the Columbia County Public Safety and Preparedness Fair Aug. 28 at the Evans Towne Center Park. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews
“I wanted to show people how many people come out to work for them everyday to keep them safe,” said Granato.
Many Columbia County public service departments came out to camp alongside EMA, Fire Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office. Roads and bridges, geographic information systems, water utility, stormwater operations, civil air patrol and more had tents and tables installed about the park grounds with displays and educational material.
Fire Rescue had two fire engines on display where children could climb in and explore the interiors, see the equipment and learn about what all fire Rescue does. Vehicles and exhibits from the hazardous materials team, air and light unit, the swift water team and the dive rescue team were all present to advise the curious about fire rescue’s duties, gear and protocols.
“Adults have loved the information; the kids loved seeing everything,” said Fire Rescue Chief Danny Kuhlmann. “We’ve had a large crowd; it’s been really well received.”
The fair was the inauguration of what the county aims to be an annual event, though the next preparedness fair is planned for April 2023.
Granato said he was inspired by the how efficiently and completely the public service departments in Columbia County worked together on his sixth day with EMA, dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
Fun activities for children were part of the Columbia County Public Safety and Preparedness Fair Aug. 28 at the Evans Towne Center Park. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews Fun activities for children were part of the Columbia County Public Safety and Preparedness Fair Aug. 28 at the Evans Towne Center Park. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews
“Everybody works together for one common goal and that’s the citizen,” said Granato. “Everybody pulls together.”
Seeing how diverse departments from GIS to IT working with Roads and Bridges and Stormwater Operations served each other in order to maintain the county was, for Granato, the germ of the idea of Saturday’s event.
“There are 1,400 people that work for Columbia County on a daily basis to meet the needs of the citizens,” said Granato. “When everybody else goes home, we stay.”
Granato hopes that the fair will acclimate the communities of Columbia County with those whose livelihood is keeping residents secure. In doing so, he notes, those who work in the infrastructures that sustain the county will get a new level of appreciation, to the point where younger residents would be inspired join the fire department, sheriff’s department or EMA someday. “If we can get just one person who wants to be a part of this, it’s worth it,” said Granato.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
